Page 32 of Accidental Dad's Best Friend

It’s not a lie. Jaxon’s father does not know he is Jaxon’s father. Even now.

Ethan nods. “Are you going to tell him?”

“I don’t know. I just want to protect Jax.”

“You didn’t have to keep it from me, though, Izzy. But I will tell you something.”

I wait, my breath stuck in my lungs as Ethan’s eyes hold mine.

“Now that I do know, I’m going to protect both of you.”

With that, I swallow hard as the secret burns a hole in my tongue.

The bell rings at Cherry Ridge Elementary and I wait with a group of other moms for Jaxon and the other kinder aged kids to be released across the playground.

I was lucky enough last night to find a sitter for him, a friend I used to work with at Slay who was the only person I ever connected with. Kira was an editor and while she doesn’t have kids, she has a litter of nieces and nephews. She agreed to watch him as soon as I texted her about having a date, though she wasn’t happy that I wouldn’t tell her who I was going out with. I couldn’t though. My time with Ethan must remain a secret. I’m starting to think my whole life is tangled with secrets.

“Izzy?” A somewhat familiar voice calls my name and I turn around and scan the faces of moms looking for someone familiar. I stop when I see the black wavy hair and huge smiling eyes.

“Rosilyn.” I smile, thanking God I remembered her name.

“Yes! I didn’t know you had kids here.”

“I do,” I walk over to stand next to her. “A son.”

“Same! My Luca is in kinder.”

“So is Jaxon.”

Rosilyn’s face lights up another sixty watts. “Well this is amazing! I bet they’re already friends which makes this even more fateful for us. Have you settled in yet? Found all the good places to shop and eat?”

“I’ve done a little exploring. When I’m not working. I found a good coffee spot, at least.”

“The place right down the street? Yes! I believe I’ve seen you there. With a man if I remember right.”

My heart stops beating and I fight to control my expression.

“Oh don’t be modest, Izzy. He looks like a very nice man. A very nice looking older gentleman, yes?”

“That’s my boss.” I spit the words out so fast they practically spitball her in the face.

“Your boss. Goodness, with the way you two were chatting back and forth I would have suspected more.”

I can feel the heat rising to my face but I force it away. “Not at all. He’s just my boss.”

Rosilyn studies me with a smile I can’t read for about five seconds before going on. “Well that’s lovely.”

As Jax and I make our way back home, he tells me all about his day. “I wanted to sit at the blue table because Emmie is at the blue table.”

“Oh. Do you like Emmie?”

“She brings an extra fruit snack every day so I can have it.”

I feign a look of shock. “You’ve been munching on fruit snacks every day?”

“It’s just a small snack, mom. They’re not bad for you. They’re fruit.”

I chuckle at that. Honestly, I am just happy he’s made friends so fast. I was worried that moving him this suddenly would be a problem but so far, I am really liking this school.

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